It was the first positive news from Topeka that Kansas schools districts have received in a while.
Gov. Mark Parkinson’s plan to fill the state’s $106 million budget gap, released Friday, did not include further cuts to education —for this year, at least. Rather, the governor’s plan calls for the canceling of highway maintenance projects, suspension of a payment into a disability fund for state employees and the enacting of a primary seatbelt law.
“We cannot balance the next budget or protect our schools, public safety and safety net services without new revenue,” Parkinson said in a statement released Friday.
Local school district officials praised Parkinson’s plan, which would at least keep school budgets at current levels for the remainder of this school year.
“I am relieved about that,” said Destry Brown, Pittsburg USD 250 superintendent. “We did have plans in place in case (more cuts) did happen, but I am glad we won’t have to utilize those plans so much. Hopefully this means this year is taken care of and we can start planning for next year.”
Dale Slagle, Frontenac USD 249 superintendent, echoed Brown’s sentiments.
“I am relieved that we won’t be facing additional cuts for the tail end of this year,” Slagle said. He added, however, that he is concerned over the proposal to pull $28 million from the state’s highway fund.
“I am concerned about the infrastructure,” he said. “Roads are important, too.”
The Kansas National Education Association also came out in support of Parkinson’s plan. In a statement released Friday, KNEA President Blake West specifically praised the governor’s call for the repeal of sales tax exemptions and for the reinstatement of Kansas’ estate tax and corporate franchise tax.
“We support making targeted revenue increases that, when combined with fewer exemptions, will provide sufficient resources to balance the budget, prevent additional cuts, support the restoration of services to our communities and address the inevitable elimination of federal stimulus funds,” West said.
“Most importantly,” he said, “we know the tax structure is broken. Fix it now, lawmakers. You don’t have to wait until some magic date to start figuring out how to improve revenue for next year. We should begin now to make structural changes that make the situation better for next year.”
Over the past year, Base State Aid Per Pupil in Kansas has fallen from $4,400 to $4,012, costing area districts hundreds of thousands to more than a million dollars. Brown said he was somewhat surprised Friday that Parkinson’s plan left schools further unharmed.
“I knew (state) revenue was coming in short, but I was hoping (Parkinson) was going to stay true to his word that he wouldn’t cut us again this year,” Brown said. “I kind of figured we’d probably end up having to cut, so I was a little surprised.”
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It was the first positive news from Topeka that Kansas schools districts have received in a while.
Gov. Mark Parkinson’s plan to fill the state’s $106 million budget gap, released Friday, did not include further cuts to education —for this year, at least. Rather, the governor’s plan calls for the canceling of highway maintenance projects, suspension of a payment into a disability fund for state employees and the enacting of a primary seatbelt law.
“We cannot balance the next budget or protect our schools, public safety and safety net services without new revenue,” Parkinson said in a statement released Friday.
Local school district officials praised Parkinson’s plan, which would at least keep school budgets at current levels for the remainder of this school year.
“I am relieved about that,” said Destry Brown, Pittsburg USD 250 superintendent. “We did have plans in place in case (more cuts) did happen, but I am glad we won’t have to utilize those plans so much. Hopefully this means this year is taken care of and we can start planning for next year.”
Dale Slagle, Frontenac USD 249 superintendent, echoed Brown’s sentiments.
“I am relieved that we won’t be facing additional cuts for the tail end of this year,” Slagle said. He added, however, that he is concerned over the proposal to pull $28 million from the state’s highway fund.
“I am concerned about the infrastructure,” he said. “Roads are important, too.”
The Kansas National Education Association also came out in support of Parkinson’s plan. In a statement released Friday, KNEA President Blake West specifically praised the governor’s call for the repeal of sales tax exemptions and for the reinstatement of Kansas’ estate tax and corporate franchise tax.
“We support making targeted revenue increases that, when combined with fewer exemptions, will provide sufficient resources to balance the budget, prevent additional cuts, support the restoration of services to our communities and address the inevitable elimination of federal stimulus funds,” West said.
“Most importantly,” he said, “we know the tax structure is broken. Fix it now, lawmakers. You don’t have to wait until some magic date to start figuring out how to improve revenue for next year. We should begin now to make structural changes that make the situation better for next year.”
Over the past year, Base State Aid Per Pupil in Kansas has fallen from $4,400 to $4,012, costing area districts hundreds of thousands to more than a million dollars. Brown said he was somewhat surprised Friday that Parkinson’s plan left schools further unharmed.
“I knew (state) revenue was coming in short, but I was hoping (Parkinson) was going to stay true to his word that he wouldn’t cut us again this year,” Brown said. “I kind of figured we’d probably end up having to cut, so I was a little surprised.”
